Grateful for our Volunteers and Fundraisers of #MessagesForMeds and #GivingTuesday

It has been my privilege to lead CommunityHealth’s #MessagesForMeds Campaign for the second year in a row. Last year, we fundraised over $30,000, almost half of which was raised on #GivingTuesday. I think you never truly understand the impact of your organization until you ask your supporters to do more by asking their friends and family to give back to a cause they believe in. For the past few months our volunteers and staff have been asking in person and through emails, as well as sharing on social media with #MessagesForMeds, and this will all continue through #GivingTuesday.

Many of our fundraisers are surprised by the responses and outpouring of generous support they receive. It’s no surprise to me though, because over 1,000 volunteers selflessly give their time over the course of each year to help us provide health care for the uninsured in Chicago. Their contacts see the impact these individuals are making and not only want to support them, but they see the impact it has in our community to provide health care to those that need it most. Accessing affordable prescription medications is one of the greatest challenges facing low-income, uninsured individuals; even a small fee through low-cost retail pharmacy programs can be cost-prohibitive. I am grateful for all of this year’s volunteer fundraisers that signed up to share their time and efforts beyond the volunteer hours they provide in our clinic every day to drive our #MessagesForMeds Campaign into #GivingTuesday to ensure our patients have access to the treatments they need to get better.